Tag: Coffee

Let’s Talk Coffee (or Tea) – Day 9

TEA BAG VARIETY -- Congerdesign -- PX
Congerdesign @ pixabay.com

I mentioned on Day 7 that I might include a post or two about hot tea as well as coffee, so let’s talk tea today. Some people consider tea a British drink. Well, it may have been once upon a time, but for my lifetime, it’s been as American as coffee. I often have both hot tea and coffee in the same day.  My favorite, by far, is English Breakfast Tea, but I enjoy many other kinds — including herbal teas. A box like the one pictured — with a huge variety to choose from — is a great prize. And I definitely prefer bags to loose tea. No matter how carefully I strain the loose tea, I still have aggravating leaves in my cup.  So you can just call me a “bag lady.”

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mrwallpaper.com

 

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Let’s Talk Coffee – Day 8

COFFEE IN PLAID CUP - FREE - DREAM-WALLPAPER

Ooooh, more stresssssssss!  But that’s okay, because I know how to get to my “Happy Place.”  Just pick up one of my delightful books by Miss Read, add a fresh-brewed cup of coffee, and I’m there!   🙂

 

 

photo courtesy of dream-wallpaper.com

 

 

 

 

Let’s Talk Coffee – Day 7

 

COFFEE. GOLD BORDER -- Luiz Jorge Artista - PX

This whole past week of posting mostly nonsense about coffee has been so relaxing I just may do it for another week. I might even throw in a cup of tea for my British friends. I do enjoy a cup of hot tea frequently too.

Whatever your drink of preference, I hope you enjoy your day.

 

 

photo courtesy of Luiz Jorge Artista @ pixabay.com

 

 

 

 

Let’s Talk Coffee – Day 6

COFFEE CARRY-OUT CUPS -- Verbera -- PX

JOE ON THE GO

Carry-out coffee is one of the greatest inventions of the human race. Okay, maybe that’s a little over-the-top where praise is concerned, but for people in the 21st century who have to be on the move for 12 to 15 hours of every 24, it’s a genuine blessing.

Note of interest: I’ve often wondered by coffee is sometimes referred to by the nickname “Joe.” There are several theories out there, but the one that seems to me to be the best substantiated is the one concerning former Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels. Here’s the link to that story:  “Why Coffee Is Called ‘Joe.'”

 

graphic courtesy of Verbera @ pixabay.com

 

 

 

 

Weekend Coffee Share 1-12-19

coffee - purple cup -- a-mblamma -- pxIf we were having coffee together today, the first thing I’d say is, “I cannot believe we are already almost half-way through the first month of 2019!”  Then I’d tell you that our ground is covered with snow. We didn’t get as much a the forecasters told us we might, so I’m relieved about that fact.

I’d probably tell you about how I spent a good deal of time this week getting more Bible teaching videos made and posted on YouTube. Most of my visitors are familiar with my ministry YouTube channel, but just in case some of you are not and would like to check it out, I’ll give you the link here: Radical About Jesus Ministries YouTube.

We’ve already had a lot of visitors and quite a number of views for the two videos I posted this week. We’ve had a couple comments. I have to laugh when I tell you that one of the comments was pretty irate. That gentlemen was unhappy with something I said, but, of course, I can’t help that. I taught the truth, and what he does with it is between him and the Lord. I did leave him a comment that will, hopefully, help him understand a couple things better, but, for the most part in those situations, I just pray and leave it to the Lord to handle. When we post anything publicly, we are inviting people to respond publicly, and the vast majority of the time, that’s a very good thing. It’s what keeps the world connected.

But I can’t help but chuckle about it because I just watched a video a couple weeks ago by one of the artists in England that I follow regularly, and he was answering some very unkind comments that had been made on one of his videos. One point he made was that he couldn’t understand why someone felt compelled to give another person’s video a “thumbs down” sign or leave a negative comment. He said when he watched videos, if he didn’t like one he saw, he just stopped watching and went on to something else. There are tens of thousands of videos on YouTube, so it’s easy to just switch over to a different one.

He has a good point, and I’ve thought that very thing myself. If I really like someone’s video, I try to let them know, but if I don’t, I generally just shut off that video and move on. It’s less stress and aggravation for me. And there’s so much negativity in our world already that I don’t see any point in adding to it if I don’t have to. But everyone’s different, and I do invite people to share their thoughts and feelings if they want to do so. Most people have been very appreciative of the videos on that channel. And whether or not people are appreciative, I know the Lord is. I teach God’s Word because it’s my calling, and that’s all that really matters.

I’ve had people ask me from time to time if I’m ever ‘really, truly happy’. My reply has always been the same for years. I am truly happy at two times in my life: when I’m teaching God’s Word or when I’m writing. Now, however, since I’ve jumped into the painting world to help myself de-stress, I can say that — at least most of the time — I’m also happy when I’m painting.

And anyone who really knows me will tell you that, without a doubt, I believe a good cup of coffee is a recipe for happiness all by itself.

Well, I’ve begun to ramble, and your coffee is probably getting cold. I need to offer you a warm-up and let you get into the conversation for a while. I hope you will find that you are having a ‘really, truly happy’ day today.

 

Thanks to Eclectic Ali for hosting our weekend coffee share.

photo courtesy of a-mblamma @ pixabay.com

 

 

Coffee Makes the World Go Round … Well, At Least It Makes This Blog Go Round

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It just came to my attention today that I have done 43 separate posts on the subject of coffee — not counting a story or two set in a coffee shop , posts about my favorite foods, or my “weekend coffee share” posts. Wow.  I guess I appreciate coffee. But then, that makes sense. Coffee is soothing, satisfying, comforting, energizing, and beneficial to health (according to some medical research I’ve read about.)

So, have a cup on me today — and make it a great day!

P. S.  If you’re interested in reading the coffee posts, you’ll find them by clicking on the two ‘coffee’ categories in the navigation bar right below the header photo.

 

 

 

 

Weekend Coffee Share – 3/18/18

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Hi. Come right on in and make yourself at home. I’ve got coffee in the pot — and a cup of “senior coffee” from McDonald’s as well. It’s one of those days.

If we really were having coffee together, I’d probably show you my newest coffee mug — which was a Valentine’s Day present from one of my former high school students. I’ve included a picture of it, so you can enjoy it as well. I taught high school and junior high, both public and private, for many years. I retired from that arena, but now I teach creative writing classes at a junior college. I’ve been very blessed to have many of my former students stay in touch with me for decades now. It’s much easier these days with so much social media and e-mail. I appreciate the love and gratitude my students still show me. They are special people.

I’d probably also tell you that this week I finally took one more step into the digital age. I’ve had my own books available in digital format for quite a while now, but I seldom read anything in that format. However, this week I downloaded two whole Bible translations onto my Nook. As a minister, I do enormous amounts of Bible study and Bible teaching, and often I use at least two or three translations in any given lesson. That fact makes for a pretty heavy load to carry around in my briefcase — or briefcases as the case may be — so this week I decided that two of those translations could go digital.

It’s a great relief to grab up that little Nook reader instead of two heavy books. In this morning’s service, I had to carry only one regular-sized King James Version and my digital reader with the Lamsa Translation and the Amplified. I think I’m going to appreciate the new digital age even more now.

Also, if we were having coffee, I’d probably tell you that this coming week is going to be a big event in my life. Perhaps to some, it might sound like nothing much, but for me, it’s major. I’ve shared a couple times on here about losing my very best friend last August. Because he was also my main editor for my books, that loss was made even more tragic, and I was having a very difficult time getting back to working on new books — three of which were in progress and had been contributed to by him. Every time I tried to get back to work on those books, the sorrow was just too heavy and the creativity for those projects too deeply buried.

But I’ve experienced more healing recently, thanks to the Lord’s grace, and this week is the week to pick up where I left off in August. So I’ll be pulling at least one of the works in progress off the shelf and stirring the ashes, so to speak. Hopefully, the creative flame will take over from there. I’m actually looking forward to it, and that’s a major breakthrough for me.

That’s about all I have to share today. My McDonald’s coffee is pretty well gone, and I’m headed back to my own pot for a refill. Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend — and your coffee. Hopefully, we’ll be able to share again next weekend.  🙂

 

Thanks to Eclecticali for hosting our weekend coffee shares.

 

 

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Weekend Coffee Share – 3/11/18

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My Welcome Mat

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If we were having coffee today, I’d probably tell you that this has been an extremely busy week, but has also been a week full of starting things that didn’t get finished. I did, however, finish editing and polishing a novel that I actually wrote 6 years ago, but never carried it through to publication.  I wrote several novels after that one, and they are all on the market, but this one just didn’t get off the shelf for some reason.

But this week I finished my editing and polishing — with the help of 3 readers who caught several typos and other various and sundry errors. I posted the book one chapter at a PROFESSOR'S EDUCATION COVERtime as I was editing, so I could get some good reader feedback, and I certainly did. Most people seemed to really enjoy the story. Frankly, I’m hoping that they enjoyed it enough to go purchase some of my other books.
[ Hint, Hint 🙂 ]

Anyway, THE PROFESSOR’S EDUCATION is finished and on its way to the market place, where it will join my other 15 books. I feel very satisfied with the finished product, so I have high hopes for it. Of course, once it’s in the marketplace, it won’t be posted on my website any longer. But I warned readers that it would be gone after tomorrow, and everyone who was interested has finished it.

During our coffee chat, I’d probably also tell you that I’ve been going through the car-repair mill again. There are several things wrong, and my mechanic is trying to schedule the most important things first. But several obstacles have interrupted the work getting done, so I’m starting to feel a little frustrated. But the car is still drivable, and as the old proverb says: “This too shall pass.”

The weather’s still crazy here in Southern Illinois. My daffodils are in bloom, and it’s sleeting right now and is supposed to snow this afternoon. But that’s par for the course. Every year, when my daffodils pop out, the weather turns mean and nasty for a few days. But bless their hearts, my little daffodils just take it in stride. And that reminds me of a little Life Lesson I recorded on YouTube a couple years ago about daffodils and what they teach us about life. I’ll put the link on here in case you’d like to check it out.

Well, I’m going to go refill my coffee cup and prop my feet up for a while. Hope you have a great day and a happy and successful week.

 

To join in the coffee share, visit Eclectic Ali for details.

 

 

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Weekend Coffee Share, 1/6/18

COFFEE CUPS -- 5

If we were having coffee today, January 6, 2018, I’d remark on the fact that way back in the 1950’s, when I was still in elementary school, we would never have dreamed that we’d still be right here on planet earth in 2018 and involved in such amazing technology that we can communicate with thousands of people at one time and in just a matter of seconds. How cool is that????

I’d also remark on the fact that the 12 Days of Christmas came to a close yesterday, and I enjoyed the extended celebration. I always do. Christmas should not last just a few days. It deserves much more. Today is Epiphany. For those of you who are not familiar with that celebration — or even with that word — it means “a revelation or a showing forth of something not realized previously.” In the church, it is generally the time when Christians celebrate the revelation of the Gospel to the Gentile nations — and the visit of the oriental wise men is generally the focus of many of the church services and messages.

Actually the wise men did not visit Jesus and His family until about two years after He was born. We sort of throw it all together these days when we do Christmas programs. But giving that part of the history of Jesus’ birth its own special place in our celebrations helps us focus on and appreciate God’s wonderful gift to all the nations on earth equally.

I’d also mention — as did Trent — that it is bitterly cold outside. Of course, here in Southern Illinois, we don’t have it as bad as he does up in Vermont. But it’s definitely hard to keep the houses warm — even the very well insulated ones. And I noticed that Alli (our hostess for this coffee share) commented on the fact that she seemed to sleep a lot this week and during the holidays. I did too. I think a lot of that has to do with the extreme cold. It uses up a lot of our energy. And, of course, holiday festivities with family and friends takes a good deal of energy as well. All my holiday festivities were great fun, but I am glad for some time to wind down now.

Today I visited with some friends for the afternoon. It was really great to touch bases with them and just share in their quiet home, enjoying a cup of coffee and some delicious nutty cheese spread on crackers. So, yes, I did have coffee with friends today for real. And not only that, but my hostess today gave me the cup that she had served me coffee in. It was a jolly Christmas cup that sort of resembled a round Christmas ornament. I was thrilled when she served my coffee in it and said so, which prompted her to make it a gift to me. I’d show you a picture of it, but it’s in the sink waiting to be washed.

Oh, I might also tell you that I had to buy a new printer this week, and now I have 30 days to check it out and make sure it’s exactly what I need. I hope it is. It’s such a hassle to buy new ones, get them installed, try to find the user’s guides online and then try to understand that guide thoroughly. I don’t want to have to do that again for a good long time, so here’s hoping and planning for this Epson WorkForce 2760 to be my “perfect printer.”

And here’s wishing you all a blessed Epiphany and a wonderful, healthy, and successful 2018.

 

 

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Weekend Coffee Share 12/23/17

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If we were having coffee today — and we were at my house — we’d be using Christmas mugs because I love them, and I have LOTS of them. I’d also probably say I couldn’t visit more than a few minutes because I have more things on my schedule than I have hours to give to them.  But I can honestly say I’m not feeling too stressed about it.

There was a time in my life when I would have been very stressed, but these days (I’m sure it’s by the grace of God) I seem to be able to take more things in stride and not beat up on myself if I don’t accomplish every single thing on my agenda. And I concern myself a lot less with other people’s opinions of me as well. My goodness, it’s a freeing experience. I think that comes partly with age. I guess I feel I’m old enough to have earned the rest from social pressure.

I would also tell you that I’m trying to figure out how someone who absolutely loves Christmas and has been counting down the days since October can be on the threshold of Christmas Eve and still not have the Christmas towels on the towel racks and no goodies baked.  Yep, I’m describing myself. That’s me this year.

Well, actually, I do know part of the answer to that question. It’s because of the remodel I just went through on my house. (I’ve been able to blame a lot of stuff on the upheaval caused by that remodel. But before long that excuse is going to run out of fuel). But — no kidding — spending two months with a house full of men and equipment — who kept turning off my power and moving me out of my office and away from my computers — caused me to get way behind in my work. And since I’ve had so much work to catch up with, I’ve had to put several of my Christmas plans on a back burner. But I’m gradually getting it all done.

And one thing in my favor is that I celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas — not with the song by that name — but in the traditional Christian celebration of the Lord’s birth from December 25 to January 6 (Epiphany). So that means I can wait until Christmas Day to really get started and still have almost two weeks to enjoy it all.

One more thing I’d likely do if we were having coffee is present you with a really cute coffee mug. In fact, I did just that with a friend I had coffee with this morning. We hadn’t been able to meet and visit for months, so we stole some time out of this morning to do that. She loves coffee, as I do. This week I came across a brand new coffee mug in a store that I frequent. On both sides of the cup were these words: “But first … coffee.” It fit my friend perfectly. It fits me as well. And if you and I were having coffee, that would mean you love coffee too, so I think you’d enjoy receiving a cup like that. I know I would. Hey … maybe I’ll go buy myself one too. 🙂

Hope you all have a very merry and healthy Christmas!

 

Visit “Weekend Coffee Share” to participate and share you thoughts.

 

 

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